Week 1 Fantasy Football Defense (D/ST) Rankings: Broncos D/ST, Jets D/ST, Cardinals D/ST, Vikings D/ST, Eagles D/ST, Texas D/ST, Patriots D/ST

September 4, 2025

RotoBaller's Week 1 fantasy football defense (D/ST) rankings and 2025. Win more with our D/ST fantasy football rankings and tiers for Week 1 lineups.

The moment we have all been waiting for is here. It's time to set those Week 1 fantasy football lineups, and a fantasy defense with a favorable matchup should be the final piece of your winning team. Below, you will see our Week 1 fantasy football defense (D/ST) rankings for 2025. These rankings include all 32 NFL defenses, including the Broncos D/ST, Jets D/ST, Cardinals D/ST, Vikings D/ST, Eagles D/ST, Texas D/ST, and Patriots D/ST.

Our defense fantasy football rankings for Week 1 are put together by Nick Mariano. Below the rankings, you will also find a summary of the important D/ST fantasy football news for this week. There are always key injuries and developments to keep track of, so check back throughout the week for updates.

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Week 1 Defense (D/ST) Rankings for Fantasy Football

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Week 1 Fantasy Football Defense (D/ST) News and Outlooks

Dallas Cowboys D/ST

The Dallas Cowboys kick off the post-Micah Parsons era on Thursday, and they'll do it against the Philadelphia Eagles, who have one of the most potent offenses in the NFL. This divisional showdown will test the Cowboys' defense's ability to contain a mobile quarterback, break through an elite offensive line, and slow down one of the decade's most dominant running backs. Fantasy defenses scored the eighth-fewest fantasy points against the Eagles last year, so managers should be concerned about the Cowboys D/ST this week.

They could certainly make some stops in garbage time, but it's hard to envision this unit steamrolling the Eagles on the road. Turnovers will be hard to come by, and Philadelphia could easily run up the score. Fantasy managers should stay away from the Cowboys defense, which will likely end up in the bottom third of the D/ST fantasy leaderboard this week.

Philadelphia Eagles D/ST

Heading into the opening game of the season, the Philadelphia Eagles' defense/special teams unit has some lofty expectations. In 2024, they allowed the fewest yards per game (278.4, the only team below 300) and the second-fewest points per game (17.8) to opposing offenses. Their most recent display in the Super Bowl saw them keep the Chiefs scoreless for almost three full quarters while forcing three turnovers on the biggest stage in football.

Their upcoming matchup against the Cowboys seems like another great opportunity for Philly's defense to show out, with Dak Prescott throwing two interceptions in four of eight of his appearances last season. This unit is one of the highest-rated going into the new NFL year, and for good reason. Even with the addition of George Pickens for Dallas, the Eagles are a top choice for a defense to start in Week 1.

Pittsburgh Steelers D/ST

Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said he expects linebacker Alex Highsmith (groin) to play in the Week 1 regular-season opener on Sunday against the New York Jets, per ESPN's Brooke Pryor. Highsmith injured his groin in early August but has since returned to practice and should be fine to suit up this weekend unless he suffers a setback in practice this week.

The 28-year-old former third-rounder had a career-high 14.5 sacks in 2022 in his third year in the league, but he was able to play in only 11 games a year ago due to injuries and finished with six sacks and a career-low 45 tackles (28 solo) for the Steelers. His presence in the season opener alongside All-Pro pass-rusher T.J. Watt will be good news for a Steelers defense/special teams unit that should be a must-start in Week 1 against a new Jets offense under quarterback Justin Fields.

Denver Broncos D/ST

Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton said that the team is being "smart" and "conservative" with how they manage linebacker Dre Greenlaw's workload. Greenlaw has a lengthy injury history, so Payton and his staff have decided that it's in their best interest to take some of the load off him before the season even begins.

The veteran defender missed most of 2024 with a torn Achilles, and he also battled a quadriceps issue this summer. Now, it appears the 28-year-old is healthy, but Denver is still going to be careful with his involvement. Levelle Bailey, Justin Strnad, and Drew Sanders are all candidates to earn more defensive snaps if Greenlaw sees a reduced workload in Week 1.

Kansas City Chiefs D/ST

The Kansas City Chiefs and starting cornerback Trent McDuffie are not expected to finalize a contract extension before the 2025 regular season gets underway, according to Nate Taylor of ESPN.com. The former first-round pick is a two-time All-Pro. He started 16 games last season, totaling 59 tackles, 13 passes defended, two interceptions, and one fumble forced. He occupies a starting role in Kansas City and is expected to remain a staple of their defense in 2025.

Although an extension is not imminent, the Chiefs and McDuffie still have plenty of time to negotiate. Kansas City picked up his fifth-year option this offseason, which means he's under contract through the 2026 campaign. Even if they decide not to negotiate in-season, the two sides can revisit contract talks next offseason.

Arizona Cardinals D/ST

Arizona Cardinals defensive tackle Walter Nolen (calf) has been placed on the PUP list and will miss at least the first four games of the 2025 season. It's crushing news for Arizona, which spent its 16th overall pick on the Ole Miss product.

During his final year at school, Nolen totaled 48 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, three passes defended, and two fumble recoveries. His explosiveness off the line and determination through the whistle make him a valuable addition to Arizona's defense, so the Cardinals will certainly be counting down the days until he can return to action. In the meantime, players like Dante Stills and Justin Jones should earn more opportunities on defense.

Cincinnati Bengals D/ST

Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Shemar Stewart earned the praise of Trey Hendrickson, who returned to the field this week and was able to observe his new and returning teammates in action. "A great football player with a tremendous amount of potential," Hendrickson said of Stewart, via Geoff Hobson of the team's official website. "And I think that potential, when tapped correctly, can be an incredibly productive player."

If there's anyone who knows defensive talent, it's Hendrickson, a four-time Pro Bowler who has 35 sacks over the last two seasons and just signed a new deal with a $14 million raise for 2025. Stewart made an impact along Texas Tech's defensive line, totaling 31 tackles, six tackles for loss, and 1.5 sacks during his final season at school. His strong performance prompted the Bengals to select him 17th overall in this offseason's NFL Draft.

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